As the world turns its attention to Baku, Azerbaijan, for COP29—the 29th Conference of the Parties under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change—global leaders are focused on meeting the Paris Agreement’s urgent goals of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Central to these efforts are the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which outline each country’s plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Countries are expected to propose ambitious goals, including emissions reductions, renewable energy expansion, and sector-specific plans, all crucial to maintaining the 1.5°C target.
For Liberia, a small West African nation with one of the lowest emissions levels worldwide, the conversation takes on a different tone. While major economies struggle to shrink their carbon footprints, Liberia’s challenge isn’t about cutting emissions. With a largely renewable energy sector and home to the largest portion of West Africa’s biodiverse Upper Guinea Rainforest, Liberia’s main concerns are sustainable development and equitable growth for its citizens. Liberia’s message to COP29 is clear: we are already a green leader but need global support to grow sustainably.
Liberia’s Clean Energy Story and Its Challenges
The World Bank reports that nearly 67% of Liberia’s electricity is generated from hydropower, making it a model of renewable energy in the region. This figure is significantly higher than the West African regional average of about 21% and the African continental average of 26%. Globally, renewable sources make up roughly 29% of electricity generation, putting Liberia’s commitment to green energy at more than twice the global average.
But Liberia is rarely highlighted in discussions that commend countries for their green achievements. Kenya and Mozambique, for instance, are frequently recognized as green energy leaders in Africa, with 75% and 80% of their electricity generated from renewable sources, respectively. While Liberia’s renewable energy integration is similarly impressive, overall electricity access remains low, with only about 30% of the population connected to the grid. Disparities are significant: while 45% of urban households have electricity, 92% of rural areas lack any access. This contrasts with Kenya, where 75% of the population has grid access, and Mozambique, where the access rate stands at 29%.
For Liberia, “green energy” is not just an environmental choice—it’s a necessity. Yet, even with a green energy foundation, the nation faces profound practical challenges. Liberia contributes minimally to global emissions and is rich in carbon-storing forests, yet it is not well positioned to benefit from the green technology boom and faces underdeveloped infrastructure and energy access issues. As global markets move to phase out carbon, Liberia’s development costs are increasing in real time.
Despite these constraints, Liberia is committed to expanding its renewable capacity. Recently, it invested US$16 million in a 20 MWp solar facility in Harrisburg, Montserrado County, with an additional 16.5 MWp plant in Scheifflin underway. The Liberia Renewable Energy Solar Power Intervention Project (RESPITE), a US$96 million initiative, aims to expand solar power in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Togo. However, scaling these projects requires significant international support, policy alignment, and investment.
The Urgency of Liberia’s Forest Conservation
Liberia’s forests cover roughly 79% of the country and are both ecological treasures and essential carbon sinks for the planet. Situated in the Upper Guinea Forest, Liberia is one of West Africa’s most biodiverse countries, sheltering countless species and vast carbon reserves. Yet, this green asset faces growing threats. Since 2002, Liberia has lost 347,000 hectares of primary forest, much of it to logging—a trend that escalates each year. Commercial interests often override forest protection and conservation, putting the forests at risk. Without comprehensive conservation and sustainable development policies, Liberia risks losing one of its most precious assets.
Climate Vulnerability: Liberia’s Unique Perspective
Liberia’s status as a low-emission country with high climate vulnerability is often overlooked in international discussions. Rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall threaten rice production, the country’s staple crop. Public health risks, including malaria and diarrheal diseases, escalate as environmental stresses increase. For a country where nearly 40% of the population lacks basic sanitation, the intersection of climate change and limited infrastructure poses serious challenges.
Economic projections underscore the urgency: by 2050, climate disruptions could reduce Liberia’s GDP by up to 15%, pushing 1.3 million more people into poverty. However, this scenario isn’t inevitable. Targeted adaptation, especially in agriculture and infrastructure, could improve resilience and reduce economic losses. This is why COP29 matters to Liberia—this global platform represents a potential lifeline.
COP29 and the Global Call for Climate Justice
The theme of COP29, “Investing in a Livable Planet for All,” resonates deeply with Liberia’s commitment to green energy and rural development. While Liberia’s forests sequester carbon for the world and its hydropower and solar initiatives champion sustainability, Liberia needs partners who understand that our primary fight isn’t to reduce emissions—it’s to secure a fair pathway for development. COP29’s emphasis on climate finance highlights the necessity for increased commitments, especially as current pledges fall far short of the estimated US$671 billion required annually to meet the needs of vulnerable countries.
The African Union’s Unified Voice and Liberia’s Advocacy
The African Union (AU) has emphasized a cohesive approach to amplify Africa’s influence at COP29. This stance aligns with Liberia’s goals of improving renewable energy access and forest conservation. By contributing to the AU’s message, Liberia strengthens its case for increased climate finance, technological support, and capacity-building tailored to national priorities.
Strategic Engagement in COP29’s Blue and Green Zones
At COP29, the Blue Zone hosts official negotiations on policies, financing, and international commitments, providing Liberia with an essential platform to advocate for its unique needs. Meanwhile, the Green Zone allows businesses, innovators, and civil society organizations to showcase climate solutions.
Liberia’s presence in both the Blue and Green Zones is vital to advancing its climate goals and attracting essential support. In the Blue Zone, where official negotiations take place, Liberia will advocate for financing mechanisms that address its unique challenges. A primary focus is securing funds from the Loss and Damage Fund to protect vulnerable coastal communities like those in West Point and Buchanan, which face existential threats from rising sea levels and extreme weather. Liberia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) aims to reduce emissions by 64%—an ambitious commitment requiring US$490 million in investment. This reduction isn’t just about cutting emissions; it’s about preventing future emissions through green energy investments, including a proposed new hydro project on the St. Paul River.
The Green Zone offers Liberia a platform to attract private-sector investment into its climate resilience initiatives. “Liberia is open for investment,” Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, EPA Executive Director emphasized, “We have a government that is more accountable now and ready for public-private partnerships and investments in road infrastructure, agriculture, and waste management.” Liberia’s pitch at COP29 is clear: with a commitment to sustainable development and climate resilience, the nation is actively seeking partnerships to turn its ambitious climate readiness goals into reality. From infrastructure to renewable energy, Liberia is promoting innovative business opportunities aligned with its climate agenda, including the Agriculture Readiness and Resilience for Sustainable Economic Transformation (ARREST) initiative, which focuses on rural development, agriculture support, and climate adaptation.
As Liberia engages with international businesses and financiers in the Green Zone, it is positioned to secure the necessary technology, expertise, and capital to expand its renewable energy infrastructure and improve nationwide resilience.
Ready to Lead
Liberia’s message at COP29 is a call for both recognition and action. We are a nation committed to protecting our green spaces, expanding our renewable energy capacity, and advancing sustainable development. To fulfill this vision, we need the global community to listen, invest, and collaborate. The path to a livable planet must include those on the frontlines, and Liberia, as a model for green energy with a commitment to environmental stewardship, is ready to lead—if given the chance.
Re-Al Zamapoe Myers is a development specialist with over a decade of experience in policy development and sustainable growth initiatives. With expertise in strategic planning and regulatory compliance, Myers has led impactful programs across sectors including natural resource management, agriculture, and finance. A graduate of Cardiff University (LLM, Human Rights) and the University of Leicester (BA, Economics and Law), they bring a global perspective and a deep commitment to Liberia’s sustainable development.
